Wenger to give hitman a chance

Andrey Arshavin will be rewarded for his professionalism with a start in Arsenal's Capital One Cup tie against Coventry on Wednesday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been impressed by the 31-year-old Russian international's attitude this season as he has only made one substitute appearance for the side. And the French tactician insists that Arshavin, who spent the second half of last season on loan at his former club Zenit St Petersburg, deserves the opportunity to showcase his abilities in the cup match against the League One Sky Blues. On the player he signed for £15million in January 2009, Wenger told Arsenal Player: "I have personally a great respect for Andrey Arshavin because sometimes some wrong ideas circulated about him - that he doesn't care, but it's completely the opposite. "He is a 200% professional who works every day very hard in training. "At the moment he is a victim of the high level of competition that exists for places. "I think he has a huge respect from everybody in the dressing room, and especially from the staff. We will give him of course some competition on Wednesday night." Meanwhile, Theo Walcott, Brazil international Andre Santos and Swiss defender Johan Djourou are set to start, while French striker Olivier Giroud is set to be given a chance to break his duck since his summer move from Montpellier. Wenger could also pitch midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong into the starting line-up following his recovery from the long-term knee injury he suffered on loan at Wolves last season. Young starlets, 17-year-old Germany youth international Serge Gnabry, Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris are also in with a shout of featuring.